Senior meals cutThe political process is often hard to understand, and sometimes even more difficult to swallow. And there’s a piece of it stuck in my throat right now. Articles have frequently appeared in this newspaper, publicity has been on the news, and we’ve tried to educate the citizens of Arkansas that the state ranks No. 1 of all 50 states in senior hunger. Nevertheless, there has been a significant cut in funding for senior center meals programs. Mor...

This is how the Clintons operateTrey Gowdy is forcing Hillary's hand, and now he's in danger. We don't have a moment to lose; Trey Gowdy has summoned Hillary Clinton to appear before the Select Committee on Benghazi for a fully transcribed interview under oath. This is critical, and though it means we're one step closer to justice, it also means the full weight of the Clinton machine is out to crush Rep. Gowdy. Let me explain, in an attempt to minimize the truth, Hillary's o...

Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the New IntoleranceThere has been a fair amount of misinformation recently about the Arkansas Religious Freedom Restoration Act [RFRA] and “discrimination.” The real discrimination is not against the LGBT population but rather against Christians and people of faith. Consider: • Don and Evelyn Knapp own a wedding chapel in Idaho. They respectfully refused to perform homosexual “weddings” due to religious reasons. The city issued a 180 day jail sentence and a $1,0...

Deadline looms for Clean Line commentsArkansas Wildlife Federation has reviewed the proposed High Voltage “Clean Line” Draft Environmental Impact Statement, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The public comment solicitation period extends until April 20. Public comments can be sent to comments@PlainsandEasternEIS.com up to that day. Since 2010, AWF has researched the scope of beneficial, adverse, cumulative impacts and issues associated with this pr...

Railroad tank carsI guess every 20 years or so, things go around and start around again. The NTSB, National Transportation Safety Board, just made an urgent request for upgraded railroad tank cars. We went through this same thing in the mid ’80s when there were a string of derailments and several notable fires. Well, short of building a completely new fleet, we are about the same place again, wanting to upgrade the tank car fleet. Thing is, though, that track a...

Food vendorsThere are a number of food vendors in Russellville that do not have brick and mortar buildings but small, mobile facilities. These vendors are required to have a city permit, they are inspected by the health inspector, they pay sales tax, rent and buy their supplies just like the brick and mortar stores and most are probably paying for their small building. These people are entrepreneurs trying to make money, trying to improve themselves econo...

Questions about the Religious Freedom ActAs I get older, I realize there is much in life I do not understand. For example, this HB 1228 Religious Freedom Act. It appears that Arkansas is a latecomer to the states that have already approved this legislation. As I read it, it basically says that I have the right to act on my religious beliefs and convictions even if my actions could be viewed as some as discriminatory. So here are my questions. If the storeowner is Pentecostal and I we...

Speak up AmericaIf you don't speak up and object to stupid and seemingly trivial ideas like "We should require everyone to vote," you are likely to wind up with every aspect of human life being regulated and controlled by the legal system. Don't forget that Taqiyya encourages lying to non-Muslims to advance religion and Shariah law; the liar is relieved of shame and forgiven for lying to an infidel. If you did not know this, then it might be possible that you...

Obey the speed limitThis letter concerns the stretch of Highway 7 extending from the I-40 interchange north to the north border of the VFW property. This stretch of highway is plainly posted at 45 mph. At the north end of the VFW property it changes to 60 mph. Also plainly posted.. I travel this portion quite frequently and while I do have numerous faults, I do try to obey the law. It would seem that I may be in the minority in that effort as countless people evi...

Good Samaritans still existWho says “moderns” have lost the admirable qualities of previous generations? The biblical Good Samaritan story comes to mind. A friend of ours recounted a recent incident that should remind us that caring, humanistic qualities still exist in our society. The incident of reference occurred at a local supermarket. A friend reported that she came up $13-plus dollars short when she got to the checkout counter. She attempted to persuade the clerk ...

Median cablesIn response to Shane Kasper’s letter, I will not take issue with anything he says other than to say that their intended purpose is to prevent a car from coming across the median into oncoming traffic. They are in use in many eastern states, in particular North Carolina and are credited with saving lives while being less expensive and more effective than guard rails. Our local situation is unfortunate, and I guess there will always be an except...

We pay more and get lessRegarding the TV shows and lack thereof, since mine are cut in half on a lot of movies. There are 10 commercials every 15 minutes, and we pay $77 for service. What we see are “The Walking Dead” and violent science fiction. What happened to good full-screen TV? When TV went to 10 commercials, the rates should have decreased. They did not. The choice of good TV viewing has decreased. (Let’s see how many agree with me.) It’s like the new autos, m...

Taxpayer money at workIs it just me, or does anybody else question the miles and miles of new cable going up along our interstates? From the time they started installing it, I thought it was a bad idea for a multitude of reasons. One of those was confirmed during the recent ice storm when a Georgia man was killed because of the cable on I-40 in Pottsville. It seems that the man lost control on the ice. At another time before the cable was erected, he would have sim...

American Legion thanks RussellvillePost 20 of the American Legion thanks each and every one of the officials and individuals who took time off from their regular duties to meet and greet American Legion National Commander, Mike Helm, as he stopped in Russellville on Tuesday, Feb. 17. State Commander Jake Greeling accompanied National Commander Helm as they visited other cities large and small across the State. Commander Greeling was not hesitant to tell us, Russellville had by ...

Thank youEveryone has choices on what to do with their “free time” and this past Thursday was no exception with so many events taking place (District and regular HS basketball, Band Concert, Meetings, staying at home to be warm, etc.). A special thank you to all who decided to attend the basketball games at Arkansas Tech. It was an electric atmosphere. We all saw four talented teams play two great games on Senior Night. Sitting courtside, I was able to...

Obama's speech on terrorismPresident Obama’s speech on Feb. 18 was a glaring example of his unwillingness to acknowledge and address what ISIL and other terror groups represent to the civilized world. In part, he even suggested we should “Listen to their grievances” as if there are social or economic problems that can defuse the threats. Another carefully worded philosophical speech void of a stated plan to defeat or defend against terrorism. And last week, Spokesperson...

River Valley Men of FaithThe billboard on East Main at the rail bridge says it best, "Men, Its Coming." The River Valley Men of Faith (a non-denominational group of local Christian men from different churches) will have its second event on Saturday, March 7 at the Russellville High School Center for the Arts. An inspiring lineup of speakers is on tap. They include Dennis Rainey, CEO of FamilyLife Ministries and author of numerous publications and radio talk programs; ...

Pay for drinking now and pay for drinking laterWhy is the city approving all these new restaurants that have state liquor or beer licenses? Tax revenue, yes, but do they dare look beyond the end of their nose? One only has to see how many Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are scheduled all over town, and these are they who are admitting to having a problem. The others get stopped or worse yet have a wreck “under the influence.” We have a serious drinking problem in our “Dry County.” Polic...

Remembering Jessica KershnerJessica Kershner. I may not have known her well. What I did know about her is that she was a great person. Now that she is gone we will mourn her for what seems like forever. Jessica Kershner was a friend to most of us. I think she would want us to mourn her, but in the end I think she would want us to go on but to keep her in mind and to never forget her, which I don’t think any of us will. Jessica Kershner isn’t gone because she will live on...

Comments on the O Street pedestrian, bike trailI agree we need to get something on the ground as soon as possible. We have been talking about a walking/biking trail along O Street for a long time. Safety for users must be the primary concern. I just don’t want this sidewalk project to be all we do on O Street. The culverts need to be covered and we need to do a complete street on the road in the near future. The trail needs to be at least 8 feet wide with both pedestrians and cyclists, but...